novelSusiti Chapter 34 Killing Hong Chengchou
Chapter 34 Killing Hong Chengchou
The lead bullet struck the connection between Hong Chengchou's robotic arm and shoulder.
Sparks flew, and the robotic arm's movements suddenly froze for a moment.
In that instant, Ma Yongsheng threw down his musket, grabbed Hong Chengchou's right arm with both hands, and slammed him heavily to the ground with a back throw.
Without a chance to catch his breath, Ma Yongsheng pulled a dagger from his boot and stabbed it viciously into Hong Chengchou's throat.
Hong Chengchou's robotic arm regained its function, and his metal fingers gripped the dagger, but the strength was not as great as before.
Ma Yongsheng pressed down with all his might, the dagger slowly approaching Hong Chengchou's neck.
"You...don't understand..." Hong Chengchou hissed, a cold glint in his eyes, "They will find you...Ma Yongsheng...you can't escape..."
The dagger pierced Hong Chengchou's fleshy neck, and blood gushed out.
But his mechanical left hand suddenly released the dagger and instead grabbed Ma Yongsheng's wrist.
The strength was still astonishing; Ma Yongsheng felt as if his wrist bones were about to shatter.
Let's die together.
Without hesitation, Ma Yongsheng released the dagger and used his freed right hand to grab the musket on the ground again—he knew there was still one bullet inside, his last preparation.
Without time to aim, he pressed the muzzle of the gun directly against Hong Chengchou's chest and pulled the trigger.
The sound of close-range gunfire echoed beneath the city walls.
Hong Chengchou's body jolted violently, and his eyes gradually dimmed.
The metal fingers that had been gripping Ma Yongsheng loosened and fell limply to the ground.
Ma Yongsheng stood up, panting, and looked at the half-human, half-machine body on the ground.
Blood gushed from the bullet hole in his chest and the knife wound in his neck, staining the yellow earth red.
The robotic arm would occasionally twitch and emit a slight electrical hum, but Hong Chengchou's eyes had already lost focus.
Ma Yongsheng put away his pistol and looked at Hong Chengchou's corpse.
This controversial figure from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties died on the streets of Xiangyang.
He was once an important official in the Ming Dynasty, but eventually became a lackey of the Qing Dynasty.
But Ma Yongsheng had no time for sentimentality.
He sensed that the cold, icy fluctuations were rapidly receding—the AI unit was trying to escape!
"Chase them! Don't let any suspicious person escape!" he ordered.
In the chaos, several figures quietly slipped away from the battlefield and headed west of the city.
Ma Yongsheng and his men gave chase.
Those people were incredibly fast, unlike ordinary people.
They wandered through the streets and alleys, finally entering an abandoned house.
When Ma Yongsheng chased after them, he only saw a few "corpses" lying on the ground—these were the escapees, but now their skin was ashen and their eyes were empty; they were "dead."
No, it's not death, it's that the vessel has been abandoned.
Ma Yongsheng squatted down to examine the body.
These vessels were exquisitely crafted, almost indistinguishable from real people, but their internal structure... He pried open the chest cavity of one of the vessels, and inside was not a heart or lungs, but a complex metal and crystal structure, with a thumb-sized black crystal in the center, which was now shattered.
"It self-destructed." Instructor Sun followed in, gasped at the sight, "What... what is this thing?"
"Our enemy." Ma Yongsheng stood up, his face grave.
AI has begun to use advanced bionic vehicles, which means that its penetration in this era is deeper than he imagined.
He stepped out of the courtyard, and dawn was already breaking on the horizon.
The fighting in Xiangyang gradually subsided, and the Jingnan Army basically controlled the entire city.
On the streets, soldiers were clearing the battlefield and helping the wounded.
The people peered out from behind the door, their eyes filled with both fear and anticipation.
"Issue the order," Ma Yongsheng said to Instructor Sun, "issue a proclamation to reassure the people and announce the restoration of Xiangyang. Immediately open the granaries to distribute grain and provide relief to the starving. Organize manpower to clean the streets, bury the dead, and prevent the spread of plague. All surrendered Qing soldiers shall be dealt with in accordance with the Provisional Constitution—officers shall be reviewed, and soldiers shall be reorganized."
"yes!"
Ma Yongsheng walked up to the city wall and watched as the ancient city, with its thousand-year history, gradually awoke in the morning light.
The Han River flows quietly outside the city, witnessing countless rises and falls.
With Xiangyang captured, the gateway to Hubei and Hunan provinces has been wide open.
Next, we can head west to Sichuan, east to the Jiangnan region, and north to the Central Plains...
But Ma Yongsheng felt little joy.
Hong Chengchou is dead, but AI is still here.
They are like venomous snakes in the shadows, ready to pounce and bite at any moment.
Further afield, in the capital, the young emperor, the Eight Banners cavalry beyond the Great Wall, and the remnants of the Ming forces in Jiangnan… the game of chess for the world has only just begun.
"Report!" A messenger ran up the city wall, "General, urgent report from Wuchang!"
Ma Yongsheng took the letter and unfolded it.
It was Jin Shenghuan's handwriting; the characters were hasty and clearly written in a hurry.
"My dear brother Changsheng: Something has happened in Jiangnan! There is infighting within the Qing court in Nanjing. Dorgon is seriously ill, and Emperor Shunzhi wants to assume personal rule. Manchu and Han officials are fighting each other endlessly. Scouts report that Qing troops in Jiangxi and Anhui are frequently moving around, seemingly indicating a northward retreat. This is a golden opportunity! I have already prepared troops and ships. If you agree, we will head east immediately and take Nanjing!"
To take Nanjing?
Ma Yongsheng's heart stirred.
Nanjing is the former capital of the Ming Dynasty. It is the capital of Jiangnan. If we can take it, we will have half of the country in our hands.
Moreover... Nanjing is one of the centers of AI activities.
Perhaps, the answer he's looking for is there.
He looked eastward, where the morning light was just right.
"Order the entire army to rest for three days. After three days, leave Li Dingguo to guard Xiangyang, and the rest of the troops will follow me eastward."
"Destination: Nanjing."
In late April of the third year of the Shunzhi reign (1646), thousands of sails raced across the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.
On the waterway from Xiangyang to Wuchang, the Jingnan Army's naval fleet stretched for more than ten miles.
On the largest warships, newly installed steam paddlewheels puffed out white smoke, leaving long trails on the river.
Although the speed is not very fast, its advantage lies in not being restricted by wind direction, allowing it to tow more supply ships along the way.
Ma Yongsheng stood on the deck of the flagship "Hanshui," the river wind whipping at his black cloak.
His face was still a little pale—the wounds from the Battle of Xiangyang had not fully healed, but his eyes had regained their sharpness.
Footsteps sounded behind me; it was Coach Sun.
"Li Dingguo has taken over the defense of Xiangyang, leaving him with 15,000 men. Together with the surrendered and reorganized Qing troops, that makes a total of 20,000," Instructor Sun reported. "Huang Zongxi wrote from Wuchang, saying that the Political Affairs Department has dispatched 30 teams to accompany the army eastward. Every time a city is recovered, new policies will be implemented immediately. Xu Guangqi has also sent an engineering team to repair the damaged water conservancy and roads."
Ma Yongsheng nodded, his gaze still fixed on the river in the east.
The river flows on and on, day and night, just like the general trend of the world; once it starts moving, there is no turning back.
"Where is Jin Shenghuan?"
"His vanguard has reached Jiujiang and is reorganizing the navy. The letter says that the Qing army in Jiangxi is indeed retreating, and the garrisons of Fuzhou and Raozhou have withdrawn to Anqing. It seems that the news of the Nanjing turmoil is true."
"Internal strife..." Ma Yongsheng murmured.
He recalled fragments of history he had read in his previous life: In the early years of the Shunzhi Emperor's reign, Dorgon and Hauge vied for power, and Manchu and Han officials fought each other, making it a truly turbulent time.
However, historical records also state that this internal strife was quickly suppressed, and the Qing court eventually consolidated its forces and unified the country.
Will history follow the same path this time?
he does not know.
But he knew this was an opportunity.
Taking advantage of the Qing court's internal strife, they quickly seized Jiangnan, then integrated southern resources and launched a northern expedition to conquer the Central Plains.
This is the ideal route.
But... will AI make it that easy for him?
Those self-destructed vehicles in Xiangyang served as a constant warning in his mind.
Those beings from the future are clearly trying their best to maintain the "original trajectory" of history.
What methods will they use to stop him?
"Report!" A messenger ran up from the cabin. "The scouts ahead report that we've arrived at Jiujiang! General Jin is waiting at the dock!"
As Ma Yongsheng looked up, the outline of the riverbank gradually became clear.
With the city gate of Jiujiang in sight, flags fluttered on the dock, which was packed with people.
"Let's dock."
The "Hanshui" slowly approached the dock.
As soon as the springboard was set down, Jin Shenghuan greeted him with a loud laugh: "Brother Changsheng! We've been waiting for you!"
The bearded general, dressed in full military uniform, looked energetic, clearly having done a good job managing things in Jiujiang over the past few months.
He was followed by a group of generals, some of whom were former members of the Jiujiang Army, and others were newly surrendered leaders of the Jiangxi rebel army.
"General Jin, you've worked hard." Ma Yongsheng stepped off the gangplank, put his arm around Jin Shenghuan, and looked at him. "Jiujiang is well-managed; you are truly talented, General."
"Hey, it's all thanks to the brothers' support!" Jin Shenghuan patted Ma Yongsheng's shoulder heartily, but he keenly sensed the stiffness in the other's body—a reaction to the touch on his injury. He quickly released his grip and whispered, "Is your injury still not fully healed?"
"It's alright."
"Come on, let's go into the city! The banquet is all ready!" Jin Shenghuan pulled Ma Yongsheng into the city, introducing the generals behind him as they walked. "This one is so-and-so, formerly under Zuo Liangyu; that one is so-and-so, who raised an army of several thousand in Jiangxi..."
Ma Yongsheng wrote them down one by one.
These people will be the main force in conquering Jiangnan in the future.
The government office of Jiujiang Prefecture has now become the command post for the Jingnan Army's eastward advance.
A long table was set up in the hall, and a huge "Map of the Landscape of Jiangnan" was hung on the wall, which was densely marked with the deployment of Qing troops, grain storage points, and key waterways and land routes.
After a few rounds of drinks, Jin Shenghuan cut to the chase: "Brother Changsheng, when are we going to make our move? Nanjing is in complete chaos! Dorgon is dying, the Manchu princes and nobles are all vying for power, and the Han officials are divided into factions attacking each other. I heard that even the palace eunuchs are spreading rumors!"
The generals laughed.
Ma Yongsheng put down his wine glass: "Where did you get the news about General Jin?"
"I have an informant in Nanjing," Jin Shenghuan said in a low voice. "He's a eunuch who used to work in the Hongguang court. He couldn't escape when the Qing army came and was left in the palace to do odd jobs. He secretly sent a message saying that the young Shunzhi Emperor wanted to rule in his own right, but Dorgon wouldn't relinquish power, and the two sides were fighting each other openly and covertly. The Manchu officials were divided into the 'Emperor's Party' and the 'Prince's Party,' and the Han officials were also divided into the 'Northern Party' and the 'Southern Party,' and they were fighting fiercely."
"This is our opportunity," a young general interjected. His name was Zhang Huangyan, a native of Zhejiang. Originally a scholar during the Southern Ming dynasty, he had organized a militia in his hometown after the Qing army marched south and had only recently crossed the river to join them. "Taking advantage of the Qing court's internal strife, we can quickly advance eastward, capture Nanjing, and then half of Jiangnan will be secured!"
"Mr. Zhang is right!" another burly general exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table. "General, give the order! We'll advance by land and water, sailing down the river, and reach Nanjing within a month!"
The generals were filled with enthusiasm and eagerly volunteered for battle.
Ma Yongsheng remained silent, his gaze slowly moving across the map.
The journey from Jiujiang to Nanjing was a 600-mile waterway, passing through important towns such as Anqing, Chizhou, Wuhu, and Dangtu, each garrisoned by Qing troops.
Although the Qing army in Jiangxi was retreating, the Qing army in Anhui and Jiangsu still had considerable strength.
More importantly, although the Qing navy was not as elite as the land force, it was still numerous and controlled the major ports in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
A direct confrontation is not impossible, but the casualties would be enormous.
Moreover, if the war drags on and the Qing court quells its internal strife and mobilizes a large army to provide reinforcements, then things will be troublesome.
"We can't push forward across the board," he finally said. "We need to be like an awl, piercing straight into the heart."
He stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to a location: "Anqing."
"Anqing is the western gateway to Nanjing and the key to the Yangtze River. Taking Anqing will open the gates to Nanjing." Ma Yongsheng looked around at his generals. "But Anqing is a well-fortified city with 5,000 defenders, making a direct assault difficult. Therefore, we must use a strategy."
"What plan?"
"A feint to the east while attacking the west." Ma Yongsheng traced an arc on the map with his finger. "The main force will make a big show of force in Jiujiang, giving the impression that it is about to advance eastward across the entire front, thus attracting the Qing army's attention. At the same time, an elite force will be sent by land, crossing the Dabie Mountains, and bypassing Anqing to the north to launch a surprise attack on Jixian Pass—the land choke point of Anqing. Once Jixian Pass is captured, Anqing will become an isolated city."
Jin Shenghuan's eyes lit up: "Great plan! But... crossing mountains and valleys, and concealing our movements, this elite force must be the cream of the crop, and the leader must be both bold and meticulous."
"I'll go," Ma Yongsheng said calmly.
"What?!" The generals were all shocked.
"General, you mustn't!" Instructor Sun was the first to object. "Your injuries haven't healed yet, how can you personally lead troops across the mountains and risk your life? I'll go!"
"I'll go!" "This humble general is willing to go!" Several generals stood up and volunteered.
Ma Yongsheng raised his hand to stop the crowd: "This journey involves more than just military operations." He paused, "According to intelligence, there are signs of 'unusual' activity near Anqing. I need to go and confirm it personally."
The generals looked at each other in bewilderment.
They didn't know what "abnormal" meant, but judging from Ma Yongsheng's expression, they knew this was no small matter.
Jin Shenghuan frowned: "Brother Changsheng, you can go if you want, but you'll have to bring plenty of men, at least five thousand!"
"No, too many people will only make us more vulnerable." Ma Yongsheng shook his head. "Two thousand elite soldiers are enough. They should all be lightly armed, carrying only ten days' worth of dry rations. Instructor Sun will come with me, while General Jin will remain in Jiujiang to command the main force in a feigned attack."
"Two thousand is too few!" Zhang Huangyan said anxiously, "What if the Qing army discovers us and we're trapped in the mountains..."
"That's why we need to be quick." Ma Yongsheng's eyes were firm. "We must reach Jixian Pass within five days. Launch a surprise attack at dawn on the sixth day. At the same time, the main force in Jiujiang will begin a feint attack to tie down the Anqing garrison."
He looked at his generals: "The key to this battle lies in speed. Surprise attack, strike where they are unprepared. Are you all willing to take this gamble with me?"
A moment of silence.
Jin Shenghuan slammed his fist on the table: "I'll bet! Brother Changsheng, I trust you! Leave Jiujiang to me, I guarantee there will be a fierce battle, making the Qing army think our entire army has marched east!"
"This humble general is willing to follow the Great General!" Instructor Sun knelt on one knee.
"This humble general is also willing to go!" Several young generals knelt down one after another.
Ma Yongsheng helped them up: "Alright. Get ready, we'll depart at dawn tomorrow."
Night fell, and the banquet ended.
Ma Yongsheng returned to his temporary lodgings, but he couldn't fall asleep.
Chen Xiuying came out of the inner room and saw him standing by the window. She said softly, "Chief, it's time to rest. We have a long march tomorrow."
Ma Yongsheng turned around and looked at his wife.
Chen Xiuying's belly is already very obvious, and she will give birth in three months.
The other four wives are also pregnant.
These children are his bloodline and the anchor of his consciousness.
What if something unexpected happens to him this time...
"Xiuying," he suddenly said, "if I don't come back, you all..."
"Chief, don't say such things!" Chen Xiuying interrupted him, tears welling in her eyes. "You will definitely come back safely! We...we are all waiting for you."
Ma Yongsheng's heart softened, and he reached out to pull her into his arms, gently stroking her pregnant belly: "Okay, I promise you, I will definitely come back."
But he knew in his heart that this trip was extremely dangerous.
Traversing hundreds of miles of mountain roads, launching a surprise attack on heavily guarded passes, and facing potential AI units... any mishap in any link could lead to utter ruin.
But he had no choice.
Time waits for no one, and the internal strife within the Qing court will not last long.
We must seize this window of opportunity, take over Jiangnan as soon as possible, and acquire more human and material resources in order to accelerate the progress of civilization.